Honestly it's a crap shoot. Same scenario, as a company with competition, when baltia knocks on your door saying we are interested in your services, are you going to pass up a contract knowing it's going to generate revenue for you or let it slide through your fingers and your competition pick up the contract cause you told them to come back when your certified. In addition, I'm sure it's not a fill in the blank contract, however these companies have a specific business. I'm sure their contract is not that complex. They offer the same services to multiple airlines with specific tweaking to each company.
I'm sure these companies stand to make a lot of money if baltia flies. If it cost a couple grand to sign a contract, is it not worth it to ensure that they get the contract and not their competition?
I'm sure they spend slit more on advertising than it costs to put up a contract.
So yes, these are detrimental steps toward building and operating airline but they can still build to the conspiracy that the company is a scam.